Is Demon’s Souls Getting a Remake? The Answer and Everything You Need to Know

The short answer is: No, Demon’s Souls is not getting another remake. The critically acclaimed remake, developed by Bluepoint Games, was released in 2020 for the PlayStation 5. There are no current plans or announcements for a further remake of the title. What you are seeing is the existing remake and its enduring popularity. Instead of another remake, let’s explore the details surrounding the existing remake, its origins, and the wider legacy of Demon’s Souls.

The Existing Demon’s Souls Remake: A Ground-Up Reimagining

The 2020 Demon’s Souls remake was a major title for the PlayStation 5 launch and served as a brilliant example of how to reimagine a classic game for modern hardware. Bluepoint Games rebuilt the entire game from the ground up, using all-new assets, music, and engine. This was not simply a graphical upgrade; it was a complete reimagining that maintained the core gameplay and spirit of the original while leveraging the power of the PS5 to deliver a visually stunning and fluid experience.

Key Features of the Remake:

• Completely Rebuilt Graphics: The remake features drastically improved visuals, with meticulously detailed environments, character models, and effects. The game’s atmosphere is significantly enhanced by dynamic lighting and increased visual fidelity.
• Rerecorded Music: The original score was rerecorded with a full orchestra, adding depth and grandeur to the game’s already haunting soundtrack.
• Enhanced Character Movement: Character animations are more fluid and responsive, making combat more engaging and dynamic.
• New Content (Limited): While the remake largely remained faithful to the original, it did include a new weapon, the Reaper Scythe, as part of a pre-order bonus and other additional items, weapons, and armor that were not part of the original PlayStation 3 release.
• Faithfulness to the Original: Despite the significant graphical and technical improvements, the core gameplay mechanics, level design, and challenging difficulty remained true to the original Demon’s Souls. This balance of faithful adaptation and modern enhancement was critical to its success.

Legacy and Impact

The Demon’s Souls remake played a pivotal role in the PS5’s early success and introduced a new generation of players to FromSoftware’s challenging and rewarding formula. While the remake maintained its brutal difficulty, it was made more accessible through improved controls and enhanced visual feedback.

The success of the remake has also prompted discussions about the differences between remasters (like Dark Souls Remastered) and remakes. While the remastered version mostly touched up existing assets, the Demon’s Souls remake was a full-fledged reconstruction. This demonstrated the power of a remake to bring new life into classic titles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Demon’s Souls

1. Where can I play Demon’s Souls?

The original Demon’s Souls is available on the PlayStation 3, and in supported regions, can be played via PlayStation Now. The remake is exclusively available on the PlayStation 5.

2. How do I level up in Demon’s Souls?

Players level up by using souls collected from defeating enemies. You can do this by speaking with the Maiden in Black in the Nexus.

3. Did the remake add significant new content?

While the core experience remains largely the same, the remake added a new weapon (Reaper Scythe) as part of a pre-order bonus, plus other additional items, armor, and weapons. It did not, however, include any new areas or story content beyond those available in the original game.

4. What was Hidetaka Miyazaki’s opinion on the remake?

Hidetaka Miyazaki, the director of the original Demon’s Souls, has stated that he has not played the remake himself. He explained that revisiting his earlier works stirs up too many “old emotions and memories.” He did say he was happy to see new players enjoying the game.

5. Is the Demon’s Souls remake an exact replica?

No. The remake is not an exact replica but a complete overhaul with all new assets, music, and engine. The original had technical constraints that the remake is not hindered by, allowing for more dynamic lighting, fluid character animations, and enhanced atmospheric depth.

6. How well did the Demon’s Souls remake sell?

The remake has been a significant commercial success, having sold over 1.4 million copies by September 2021.

7. Why is the giant archstone destroyed?

The destroyed sixth archstone is a matter of fan speculation. It is thought to be broken to cut off access to a remnant of the Old One’s magic residing in the area the Archstone was intended to take players to. It is speculated it would have led to a snowy, mountainous region.

8. Will there be a Dark Souls 4?

It seems highly unlikely that we will see a Dark Souls 4, as the series has been concluded as a trilogy.

9. Is the Demon’s Souls PS5 remake better than the PS3 original?

The PS5 remake is generally considered superior due to its significantly enhanced graphics, fluid gameplay, and overall polish. It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an objectively “better” game, as both are highly playable but the remake certainly removes many of the limitations the original was burdened with.

10. How long did it take to develop the Demon’s Souls remake?

Including early conceptual work, the production of the Demon’s Souls remake took approximately three years.

11. Why does Miyazaki dislike Dark Souls 2?

Miyazaki’s issues with Dark Souls 2 are often attributed to his dislike of specific area design decisions, certain game mechanics, and what he saw as too much freedom in character builds for PVP, although this may be just a miscommunication or bias on his part.

12. What happens if you offer 25,000 Souls at the statue?

If you offer 25,000 souls at the statue within the Nexus you will gain access to the Fractured World.

13. How many endings does the Demon’s Souls remake have?

The game features two endings. The one you receive is based on your decision at the very end of the game.

14. How faithful is the Demon’s Souls remake to the original?

The remake is considered very faithful to the original, preserving the core gameplay, level design, and difficulty while significantly enhancing the graphics and performance.

15. Is the Demon’s Souls remake as hard as the original?

The Demon’s Souls remake maintains the notoriously challenging difficulty of the original game. Newcomers to the series will find it as brutal and demanding as its predecessor and other Soulsborne games.

Conclusion

To reiterate, there is no new Demon’s Souls remake in development. The existing 2020 remake stands as a testament to how a classic game can be meticulously modernized for a new generation of players. Instead of another remake, the discussion of Demon’s Souls rightly revolves around the lasting impact the remake has made. It has successfully revived a classic and expanded its legacy in the Soulsborne universe. Its success speaks to a growing appetite for well crafted remakes of classic games. So while there might not be a new remake in the works, you can still lose yourself in the beautifully realized world of Boletaria thanks to the existing remake available on the PlayStation 5.